General News

Amanda Bynes fit to face trial over DUI charge

By:
WENN.com

Nov 20, 2013 | 3:31pm EST

Embattled actress Amanda Bynes has been ruled mentally competent to stand trial for a charge of driving under the influence (DUI). The Hairspray star has been under medical care since July (13), when she was hospitalised for a mental health evaluation after weeks of erratic behaviour, which culminated in Bynes reportedly starting a small fire on a driveway in Thousand Oaks, California.
Recent reports suggested doctors had succeeded in stabilising her behaviour through psychological counselling, and on Wednesday (20Nov13), a judge at Los Angeles Mental Health Court reviewed her official medical evaluation and declared her fit to face the DUI case.
The 27 year old's lawyer, Richard Hutton, did not contest the decision during the hearing, which took place two months after he alleged his client did not have the mental capacity to understand the nature of the legal proceedings, reports TMZ.com.
The case relates to an arrest last year (12), when she was slapped with the DUI charge after allegedly side-swiping a police car in California.
Bynes, who has been placed under the temporary conservatorship of her mother, Lynn, is also facing charges in a separate case, following a police raid on her New York apartment in May (13). She stands accused of reckless endangerment, tampering with evidence and possessing marijuana after reportedly throwing a bong out of her window.